Sprocket Shaped User Interface for Navigating a Dynamic Collection of Information

ABSTRACT

The sprocket shaped menu accepts except selections of information from the menu, where selecting an item in the menu causes other parts of the look of the menu to change. In one embodiment, this can cause a break in the menu which shows a preview. In another embodiment, touching an item on the menu can cause an automatic update of the other items unless those other items have been automatically updated within a predetermined time before, such as within 15 minutes.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.13/205,422 filed Aug. 8, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,677,280 issued Mar.18, 2014, which claims priority from provisional U.S. Ser. No.61/480,434, filed Apr. 29, 2011. This is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. Ser. No. 11/436,400, filed May 18, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No.7,996,788 issued Aug. 9, 2011. The disclosures of each of these parentapplications are hereby incorporated by reference, in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention generally relates to graphical user interfaces andmore particularly relates to the navigation of dynamic collections ofinformation.

2. Related Art

Navigation through collections of information is firmly rooted inconventional text based solutions. These conventional utilities werewell suited to yesterday's low-bandwidth networks and limited processingpower devices. In today's high-bandwidth, high processing powerenvironments, however, conventional navigation utilities areincreasingly becoming the bottleneck between a user desired information.Additionally, conventional navigation utilities typically present verydifferent user interfaces across the various different types ofcollections of information. For example, databases, file systems, andweb sites all have very different user interfaces, requiring users to beexperienced and familiar with each interface.

Furthermore, conventional navigation systems continue to struggle withthe presentation of information relating to the location, direction, andcontext of a user within a collection of information. Compounding thislimitation of the conventional systems is the increasingly dynamicnature of collections of information and their tendency and ability tochange while a user is interacting with the collection of information.

One significant drawback of conventional navigation systems is that auser can easily get lost within the hierarchical structure of thecollection of information. This is typically due to a lack of contextpresented to the user, but can also be due to variations in the form ofthe user interface. For example, different graphical presentations ofthe navigation system may be found within the various web pages in a website. The different graphical presentation may cause a user to becomeconfused as to the current location with the collection of information.

Therefore, what is needed is a system and method that provides uniformnavigation of dynamic collections of information and overcomes thesignificant problems found in the conventional systems as describedabove.

SUMMARY

Various systems and methods are presented that provide for thenavigation of dynamic collections of information. A unified presentationshows the hierarchical relationship between the multiple levels ofinformation content and allows for the simplified navigation between thelevels. Navigating through the various levels of the collection ofinformation causes the information to be recursively presented in ahierarchical fashion. Advantageously, as the information content maychange, those changes are reflected in the hierarchical presentation ofthe structure of the collection of information. The various systems andmethods presented may be used to navigate collections of informationincluding web sites, computer file systems, databases, and otherhierarchical systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure andoperation, may be gleaned in part by study of the accompanying drawings,in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for navigating a dynamiccollection of information according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an alternative system fornavigating a dynamic collection of information according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another alternative system fornavigating a dynamic collection of information according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a table of dynamic contentlistings according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5E are block diagrams illustrating the various states of anavigation system in conjunction with the table of dynamic contentlistings shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example user process fornavigating a dynamic collection of information according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process forinitializing a navigation wheel according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example server process fornavigating a dynamic collection of information according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a screen shot illustrating an example application windowincorporating a navigation wheel according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9B is a screen shot illustrating an example computer desktopincorporating a navigation wheel according to an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system asmay be used in connection with various embodiments described herein; and

FIG. 11 illustrates the interaction between the embodiments anddifferent operations which can be taken;

FIG. 12 shows the different operations that can be taken with thesprocket;

FIG. 13 shows other operations that can be taken, and shows how a halfversion view of the sprocket can be shown on the screen along with otheruser interface parts.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment where the sprocket style userinterface can find and view media;

FIG. 15A shows an alternative sprocket interface with extendingportions;

FIG. 15B shows an icon for a specific operation in the FIG. 15Aembodiment;

FIG. 16A shows a specific selection;

FIG. 16B shows the other options that are provided when a first optionis selected;

FIG. 17 shows a dashboard embodiment;

FIG. 18A shows an interface which is side-by-side with the content;

FIG. 18B shows a wheel shaped embodiment showing likes and dislikes;

FIG. 18C shows a side-by-side embodiment that shows a viewing pane;

FIG. 18D shows a message in the viewing pane;

FIG. 19A shows a side-by-side embodiment;

FIG. 19B shows the filter wheel used for likes and dislikes;

FIG. 19C shows how the filter can be rearranged to form a side-by-sideembodiment;

FIG. 20A shows a shifting landscape embodiment;

FIG. 20B shows a further zoomed embodiment

FIG. 20C shows a playing screen;

FIG. 20D shows how one of the cells of the shifting landscape can turninto a message creation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments as disclosed herein provide for the navigation ofdynamic collections of information. For example, one method as disclosedherein allows a dynamic collection of information to be parsed into adynamic content table that provides a user with the overall context ofthe collection of information in a simplified navigation system. Theoverall context can also be recursively updated as the user navigateswithin the dynamic collection of information, providing the user with acontext sensitive road map for use in navigation.

After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled inthe art how to implement the invention in various alternativeembodiments and alternative applications. However, although variousembodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it isunderstood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only,and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of variousalternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope orbreadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a navigation system 10 fornavigating a dynamic collection of information according to anembodiment of the present invention. The illustrated navigation system10 comprises an outer ring 12, an inner ring 14, and an inner core 16.In the description of the various embodiments herein, the outer ring 12may also be referred to as the top-level 12, the inner ring 14 may alsobe referred to as the sub-level 14, and the inner core 16 may also bereferred to as the core-level 16. Additionally, the navigation system 10may comprise more or less rings or levels. For example, certainembodiments of the navigation system 10 may comprise three or four ringsin addition to the inner core.

The outer ring 12 has a variable number of elements. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, outer ring 12 has eight elements, numbered 1-8respectively. Similarly, inner ring 14 has a variable number ofelements. The elements of inner ring 12 are context sensitive based onthe element of the outer ring 12 that is currently in focus, orcurrently selected. As illustrated, the inner ring 14 comprises eightelements. Each element in the inner ring is numbered as a tuple, e.g.,(X,Y), where the first number (X) represents the outer ring elementcurrently in focus and the second number (Y) represents the number ofthe inner ring element. For example, an inner ring element with thetuple (2,5) indicates that the second outer ring element is currently infocus in combination with the fifth inner ring element.

Navigation system 10 additionally comprises an inner core 16 thatoccupies the central portion of the wheel shaped navigation system 10.Additionally, navigation system 10 may have an optional inner coreelement 18 that is located within or adjacent to the inner core 16.Although the illustrated navigation system 10 is presented in the formof a wheel or a semicircle in the various embodiments herein, it isunderstood that the scope of the present invention encompassesalternative presentations for the navigation system 10 that include thefunctionality described herein. As such, reference to a particulargraphical presentation or shape of the navigation system 10 in theexamples described shall not be construed as limiting.

The function of the navigation system 10 is to provide a simple andconsistent interface for navigating through a dynamic collection ofinformation. Dynamic collections of information can include, forexample, computer file systems, databases, and of course, web sites. Atthe granular level, a dynamic collection of information may comprise anumber of files, records, or web pages. Additionally, a dynamiccollection of information may include files and records and web pages.

Furthermore, dynamic collections of information also comprise aninherent architecture. One particularly important aspect of a dynamiccollection of information is that the information in the collection canbe modified while it is being used, reviewed, searched, or otherwiseaccessed. For example, files in a file system can be added, removed, ormodified. Similarly, records in a database can be added, removed, ormodified and web pages can be added, removed, or modified. These changesto a dynamic collection of information can take place contemporaneouslywhile a user is navigating the collection of information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an alternative navigation system10 for navigating a dynamic collection of information according to anembodiment of the present invention. The illustrated navigation system10 comprises a top-level 12, a sub-level 14, an inner core 16 and anoptional inner core element 18. The navigation system 10 also comprisesa text display area 20 and a graphics display area 22, which isemphasized with shading.

The top-level 12 comprises a variable number of top-level elements,illustrated as elements 1-5 respectively. The sub-level 14 similarlycomprises a variable number of sub-level elements, illustrated aselements 1,1-1,5 respectively. The elements of sub-level 14 are contextsensitive and are instantiated in the navigation system according towhich element (1-5) of top-level 12 is currently selected or otherwisein focus.

The text display area 20 arcs around the perimeter of the top-level 12to provide a maximized linear distance in which to put textualinformation. Advantageously, an element that is currently selected orthat currently has the focus of the navigation system 10 can bedescribed with words in text display area 20. For example an elementwithin the top-level 12, and element within the sub-level 14, thecore-level 16, or the optional core-level element 18 may have the focusat any given time.

The text that is presented in text display area 20 may be presented in avariety of ways such as scrolling in from right to left or scrolling infrom left to right. Various alternative ways to present and sustain thetext in text display area 20 will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art.

The graphics display area 22 is centrally positioned within thenavigation system 10 to provide a maximized contiguous area for thedisplay of graphical images or video. In the illustrated embodiment,graphics display area 22 is disposed behind the core-level 16 and theoptional core element 18. Alternatively, the core-level 16 and theoptional core element 18 may be moved to another location in order toprovide an unobstructed view of the graphics display area 22.

The graphics that are presented in graphics display area 22 may bepresented in a variety of ways. For example, the graphics may bepresented as moving video or as static images. Static images may beconstant or they can be cycled such that a series of related images areshown that convey a particular meaning. The function served bydisplaying text, graphics, or both is to provide an understanding of thecontent available within the element of the navigation system 10 that iscurrently selected, or otherwise in focus. Various alternative ways topresent and sustain the graphics in graphics display area 22 will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Navigation system 10 may also comprise a speaker (not shown) that allowsaudio to be provided in addition to the text and graphics in order toincrease the understanding of the available content.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another alternative navigationsystem 10 for navigating a dynamic collection of information accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation system 10comprises an outer ring 12 and an inner ring 14 as previously describedwith respect to FIG. 1. Navigation system 10 additionally comprises aninner core 16 and an optional inner core element 18. Furthermore,navigation system 10 comprises a text display area 20 and a graphicsdisplay area 22, which is emphasized with shading.

The text display area 20 is disposed above the outer ring 12 to providea viewable area for textual descriptions of the element that iscurrently selected. The graphics area 22 is disposed above the textdisplay area 20 to provide a larger viewing area for graphics (images,video, or both) associated with the element that is currently selected.As previously described, the text display area 20 and the graphicsdisplay area 22 provide information and clues pertaining to the contentthat is available within the currently selected or otherwise in focuselement of the outer ring 12, inner ring 14, inner core 16, or optionalinner core element 18.

Advantageously, the organization of the navigation system 10 asillustrated provides a larger, more conspicuous graphical display area22. Such an organization may increase the ability of the graphicsdisplay area 22 to provide meaningful information related to theavailable content.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a table 30 of dynamic contentlistings according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thedynamic content listings in table 30 correspond to the previouslydescribed elements of top-level 12 and elements of sub-level 14. Forexample, the top row of table 30 corresponds to the elements (1-5) ofthe top-level 12 as described with respect to FIG. 2. The first columnof table 30 (excluding the top row element) corresponds to the elements(1,1-1,5) of the sub-level 14 also described with respect to FIG. 2. Theadditional columns 2-5 correspond to the elements of each respectivesub-level present in the dynamic collection of information.Advantageously, the dynamical collection of information can be examinedand the resulting relationships stored in table 30.

As indicated by the ellipses extending out from the top row representingthe top-level 12 and extending down from each column representing thevarious sub-levels 14, the number of entries in the top-level 12 (andtherefore the number of entries in the top row of table 30) and thenumber of entries in each sub-level 14 (and therefore the number ofentries in each column of table 30) can vary. The respective number ofentries varies based on the hierarchical structure inherent in thedynamic collection of information that is being navigated by thenavigation system 10.

FIGS. 5A-5E are block diagrams illustrating the various states of anavigation system 10 in conjunction with the table of dynamic contentlistings shown in FIG. 4. In FIGS. 5A-5E, those elements that arecurrently selected or otherwise in focus are emphasized with shading,along with the graphics display area 22. Initially, in FIG. 5A, element1 of top-level 12 is selected. The selection of an element may becarried out in a variety of ways, for example with a mouse-over event ora mouse click on a computer system. Additionally, an element may beselected by use of an input device such as a wand on a personal digitalassistant device. Alternatively, an element may be selected by use of avoice command in conjunction with a voice recognition system.

In the navigation system 10, the selection of element 1 of top-level 12dynamically causes the elements of sub-level 14 to be instantiated withthe corresponding elements from table 30. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, element 1 of top-level 12 has five sub-elements(1,1-1,5) respectively. These five sub-elements are instantiated intothe elements of sub-level 14 once element 1 of top-level 12 is selected.

Additionally, the selection of element 1 of top-level 12 causes anydescription in text display area 20, any graphics in graphics displayarea 22, and any associated audio to be updated according to the contentassociated with the new selection.

Turning to FIG. 5B, selected element 2 of top-level 12 has threesub-elements (2,1-2,3) respectively, as also shown in FIG. 4. Thesethree sub-elements are instantiated into the elements of sub-level 14once element 2 of top-level 12 is selected.

Similarly, with respect to FIG. 5C, selected element 3 of top-level 12has four sub-elements (3,1-3,4) respectively, as also shown in FIG. 4.These four sub-elements are instantiated into the elements of sub-level14 once element 3 of top-level 12 is selected. Also illustrated in FIGS.5B and 5C are potential additional elements of sub-level 14. Althoughthe illustrated embodiments show a total of only five elements ofsub-level 14, there can be any number of additional or fewer elements.For example, additional elements can be added to sub-level 14 bydecreasing the size of each element contained within sub-level 14.

In FIG. 5D, selected element 4 of top-level 12 has two sub-elements(4,1-4,2) respectively, as also shown in FIG. 4. These two sub-elementsare instantiated into the elements of sub-level 14 once element 4 oftop-level 12 is selected. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment,element 4,2 of sub-level 14 is selected. Advantageously, selection ofthis element of sub-level 14 causes any description in text display area20, any graphics in graphics display area 22, and any associated audioto be updated according to the new selection.

Similarly, in FIG. 5E, selected element 5 of top-level 12 has threesub-elements (5,1-5,3) respectively, as also shown in FIG. 4. Thesethree sub-elements are instantiated into the elements of sub-level 14once element 5 of top-level 12 is selected. Additionally, in theillustrated embodiment, element 5,2 of sub-level 14 is selected.Advantageously, selection of this element of sub-level 14 causes anydescription in text display area 20, any graphics in graphics displayarea 22, and any associated audio to be updated according to the newselection.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example user process fornavigating a dynamic collection of information according to anembodiment of the present invention. Initially, a user selects a toplevel element presented in the navigation system, as shown in step 100.The selection of an element in the navigation system may be carried outby a variety of means, including a mouse-over event, a mouse clickevent, depressing a button on a keypad, touching the appropriate area ona touch screen interface device, speaking an oral command (inconjunction with a speech recognition system), or by the use of a wanddevice (e.g., with a PDA), just to name a few.

Once the user has selected a top-level element, the navigation systemupdates to convey to the user the content available within the selectedelement. If there is new text associated with the selection, asillustrated in step 110, the user views that text in the text displayarea, as shown in step 120. The text may be presented in a scrolling,flashing, or otherwise conspicuous manner to grab the attention of theuser.

If there are new graphics associated with the selection, as illustratedin step 130, the user views the new graphics in the graphics displayarea, as shown in step 140. The graphics may be presented as staticimages or as moving video. Additionally, a single static image may bepresented or a group of static images may be presented in sequence suchthat the images are cycled on a periodic basis (with variable or evendisplay times). Advantageously, moving video or cycling through a seriesof static images effectively catches the attention of the user.

In addition to text and graphics, if there is audio associated with theselection, as illustrated in step 150, the user listens to the audiofrom speakers that are coupled with the navigation system, as shown instep 160. The audio may be presented as a brief sound byte, or as acontinuous, possibly looping stream of audio. In one embodiment, theaudio may emphasize the text being displayed by speaking the words thatare displayed in the text area. Alternatively, the audio may emphasizethe graphics being displayed in the graphics display area by serving asa sound track for moving video or cycling static images. Additionally,the audio may complement both the text and the graphics.

Advantageously, text, graphics, and audio can be combined andchoreographed to work in concert and efficiently convey to the user whatcontent is available within the selected element.

Once the navigation system has been updated and the user has viewed thenew text and graphics and listened to any new audio, the user makes adetermination whether the desired element has been selected, asillustrated in step 170. If the desired element has been selected, theuser then requests the content, as shown in step 180. Requesting thecontent associated with an element may be carried out by various means,including a mouse-click event (or double-click), depressing a button ona keypad, touching the appropriate area on a touch screen interfacedevice, speaking an oral command (in conjunction with a speechrecognition system), or by the use of a wand device (e.g., with a PDA),just to name a few. The content itself may be a file, a directory, adatabase record, or a web page.

If the desired element has not been selected, referring back to step170, the user determines whether a new top level element is desired, asshown in step 190. If a new top-level element is desired, the processloops back and the user begins anew and selects another top levelelement, as illustrated in step 100. If the user is satisfied with thetop-level element, but the desired element has not been found, then theuser selects a sub-level element, as shown in step 200. Advantageously,sub-level elements can refine the content associated with a top-levelelement in order to allow the user to narrow the scope of the contentprior to making a request for the content.

One particular advantage of this approach is to reduce the bandwidthrequired when a user navigates through a large collection ofinformation. For example, in a wireless networking environment, wherebandwidth is at a premium, the inventive navigation system is much moredesirable for both users and network providers.

Once the user has selected a sub-level element, referring back to step200, the process loops back to step 110 and begins again by providingany new text, graphics, and audio associated with the newly selectedelement.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example information serverprocess for initializing a navigation wheel according to an embodimentof the present invention. First, in step 250, the server receives aninitial content request. This initial content request may be a requestfor a file, a request for a database record, or a request for a webpage. Upon receiving the initial request, the server examines thedynamic collection of information to determine its hierarchicalstructure. For example, the server may parse the dynamic collection ofinformation, as shown in step 260. The server then builds a table ofdynamic content listings, as illustrated in step 270.

The table (previously described with respect to FIG. 4) preferablyreflects the hierarchical structure of the dynamic collection ofinformation. For example, the table may be, in one representation,viewed as a tree structure. However, for ease of description, thehierarchical representation of the collection of information will bereferred to herein as a table. Once the table has been constructed, theserver provides the root content to the requesting user, as illustratedin step 280. The root content may comprise the main page of a web site,the root level (or desktop) view of a file system, or the top level viewof a database. Alternatively, the root content may be providedimmediately after receiving the content request. Additionally, the stepof providing the root content may be carried out contemporaneously withthe steps of parsing the dynamic content and building the table ofdynamic content listings.

After providing the root content to the requesting user, the server nextprovides the navigation system, as shown in step 290. The navigationsystem, similar to the root content, is presented to the user once ithas been provided. In one embodiment, the navigation system may bepresented as an overlay on the viewing device (e.g. monitor, PDA screen)in use. The overlay may be resident in a particular application window,for example when the navigation system is being used with a databaseapplication or a web browser. Alternatively, the overlay may be residenton the computer desktop when the navigation system is being used with afile system.

Advantageously, when the navigation system is being used with anapplication, the presentation of the navigation system can beimplemented as an overlay such that the content within the applicationwindow can be viewed beneath the navigation system. Furthermore, whenthe underlying application window is scrolled, the navigation systempreferably remains fixed within the application window, floating abovethe content within the application window.

Once the navigation system has been provided, the server instantiatesthe top-level elements, as shown in step 300. Referring back to FIG. 4,the top-level elements are those elements that are in the top row of thedynamic content table. For example, the top-level elements can be thelinks from the main page of a web site or the available disk drives on acomputer system. These top-level content elements are instantiated intothe navigation system so that a top-level element can be selected by theuser. At this point, the server may also provide any text, graphics, oraudio to be associated with the base navigation system.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example server process fornavigating a dynamic collection of information according to anembodiment of the present invention. Initially, the server receives atop-level selection from the user, as illustrated in step 350. Theselection may be received via conventional inter-process communication(“IPC”) in an embodiment where the navigation system is resident on asingle device. Alternatively, the selection may be received via anetwork communication in an embodiment where the navigation systemresides on a centralized server.

Once the server receives the selection, it examines the selection todetermine if a top-level element has been selected or if top-levelcontent has been selected, as shown in step 360. If the request is fortop-level content, the content is provided, as shown in step 370. Thecontent may comprise a file, a database record, a web page, or somecombination of these and other types of content. Once the requestedcontent has been provided, the server waits to receive the next-levelselection, as shown in step 410.

If the request is a selection of a top-level element, the server nextprovides any new text, graphics, or audio that is associated with thenewly selected element, as illustrated in step 380. Additionally, theserver determines what sub-level elements are associated with theselected top-level element and instantiates those sub-level elementsinto the navigation system, as shown in steps 390 and 400.

Once the text, graphics, audio, and sub-level elements have beenprovided to and instantiated in the navigation system, the server waitsuntil it receives the next-level selection, as illustrated in step 410.The next-level may be another top-level selection or it may be asub-level selection. Additionally, the next-level selection may be acontent request or a selection of an element in the next-level (i.e.,top-level or sub-level). The server examines the request to determinethe type of request, as shown in step 420. If the request is a contentrequest, the server provides the requested content, as shown in step370. Once the requested content has been provided, the server waits toreceive the next-level selection, as shown in step 410.

If the request is a selection of a next-level element, the server thenprovides any new text, graphics, or audio that is associated with thenewly selected element, as illustrated in step 430. Additionally, theserver determines what sub-level elements are associated with theselected next-level element and instantiates those sub-level elementsinto the navigation system, as shown in steps 440 and 450. Once thetext, graphics, audio, and sub-level elements have been provided to andinstantiated in the navigation system, the process loops back and theserver waits until it receives the next-level selection, as shown instep 410.

FIG. 9A is a screen shot illustrating an example application window 460incorporating a navigation wheel 470 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a web browserapplication window 460 is shown. The navigation wheel 470 is placed atthe lower right hand corner of the application window 460, superimposedover the content in the application window 460. Preferably, as thecontent in the application window 460 is scrolled up and down, thenavigation wheel 470 remains fixed in the lower right hand corner,effectively floating over the scrolling content in the applicationwindow 460. The location of the navigation wheel 470 in the applicationwindow 460 can vary. For example, the navigation wheel 470 may be placedin the upper or lower portion of the window 460 or in the right hand orleft hand portion of the window 460.

FIG. 9B is a screen shot illustrating an example computer desktop 480incorporating a navigation wheel 490 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a the computer desktop460 is shown as a computer running the Microsoft™ Windows™ operatingsystem. Alternative operating systems such as MacOS™, Linux, UNIX, orothers may also be the underlying engine for the computer desktop 480.

The navigation wheel 490 is placed at the lower right hand corner of thecomputer desktop 480, superimposed over any application windows on thedesktop 480. Preferably, as application windows on the computer desktop480 appear, disappear, and move around the desktop 480, the navigationwheel 490 remains fixed in the lower right hand corner, effectivelyfloating over any application windows on the desktop 480. The locationof the navigation wheel 490 on the computer desktop 480 can vary. Forexample, the navigation wheel 490 may be placed in the upper or lowerportion of the computer desktop 480 or in the right hand or left handportion of the computer desktop 480.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system 550that may be used in connection with the various embodiments describedherein. For example, the computer system 550 may be used in conjunctionwith a conventional personal computer (“PC”), notebook computer, laptopcomputer, personal digital assistant (“PDA”), network terminal, databaseterminal, automatic teller machine (“ATM”), wireless communicationdevice, and the like. However, other computer systems and/orarchitectures may be used, as will be clear to those skilled in the art.

The computer system 550 preferably includes one or more processors, suchas processor 552. Additional processors may be provided, such as anauxiliary processor to manage input/output, an auxiliary processor toperform floating point mathematical operations, a special-purposemicroprocessor having an architecture suitable for fast execution ofsignal processing algorithms (e.g., digital signal processor), a slaveprocessor subordinate to the main processing system (e.g., back-endprocessor), an additional microprocessor or controller for dual ormultiple processor systems, or a coprocessor. Such auxiliary processorsmay be discrete processors or may be integrated with the processor 552.

The processor 552 is preferably connected to a communication bus 554.The communication bus 554 may include a data channel for facilitatinginformation transfer between storage and other peripheral components ofthe computer system 550. The communication bus 554 further may provide aset of signals used for communication with the processor 552, includinga data bus, address bus, and control bus (not shown). The communicationbus 554 may comprise any standard or non-standard bus architecture suchas, for example, bus architectures compliant with industry standardarchitecture (“ISA”), extended industry standard architecture (“EISA”),Micro Channel Architecture (“MCA”), peripheral component interconnect(“PCI”) local bus, or standards promulgated by the Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) including IEEE 488general-purpose interface bus (“GPIB”), IEEE 696/S-100, and the like.

Computer system 550 preferably includes a main memory 556 and may alsoinclude a secondary memory 558. The main memory 556 provides storage ofinstructions and data for programs executing on the processor 552. Theretain memory 556 is typically semiconductor-based memory such asdynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) and/or static random access memory(“SRAM”). Other semiconductor-based memory types include, for example,synchronous dynamic random access memory (“SDRAM”), Rambus dynamicrandom access memory (“RDRAM”), ferroelectric random access memory(“FRAM”), and the like, including read only memory (“ROM”).

The secondary memory 558 may optionally include a hard disk drive 560and/or a removable storage drive 562, for example a floppy disk drive, amagnetic tape drive, a compact disc (“CD”) drive, a digital versatiledisc (“DVD”) drive, etc. The removable storage drive 562 reads fromand/or writes to a removable storage medium 564 in a well-known manner.Removable storage medium 564 may be, for example, a floppy disk,magnetic tape, CD, DVD, etc.

The removable storage medium 564 is preferably a computer readablemedium having stored thereon computer executable code (i.e., software)and/or data. The computer software or data stored on the removablestorage medium 564 is read into the computer system 550 as electricalcommunication signals 578.

In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 558 may include othersimilar means for allowing computer programs or other data orinstructions to be loaded into the computer system 550. Such means mayinclude, for example, an external storage medium 572 and an interface570. Examples of external storage medium 572 may include an externalhard disk drive or an external optical drive, or and externalmagneto-optical drive.

Other examples of secondary memory 558 may include semiconductor-basedmemory such as programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasableprogrammable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable read-onlymemory (“EEPROM”), or flash memory (block oriented memory similar toEEPROM). Also included are any other removable storage units 572 andinterfaces 570, which allow software and data to be transferred from theremovable storage unit 572 to the computer system 550.

Computer system 550 may also include a communication interface 574. Thecommunication interface 574 allows software and data to be transferredbetween computer system 550 and external devices (e.g. printers),networks, or information sources. For example, computer software orexecutable code may be transferred to computer system 550 from a networkserver via communication interface 574. Examples of communicationinterface 574 include a modem, a network interface card (“NIC”), acommunications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, an infrared interface, andan iEEE 1394 fire-wire, just to name a few. Communication interface 574preferably implements industry promulgated protocol standards, such asEthernet IEEE 802 standards, Fibre Channel, digital subscriber line(“DSL”), asynchronous digital subscriber line (“ADSL”), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”), integrated digital services network(“ISDN”), personal communications services (“PCS”), transmission controlprotocol/Internet protocol (“TCP/IP”), serial line Internetprotocol/point to point protocol (“SLIP/PPP”), and so on, but may alsoimplement customized or non-standard interface protocols as well.

Software and data transferred via communication interface 574 aregenerally in the form of electrical communication signals 578. Thesesignals 578 are preferably provided to communication interface 574 via acommunication channel 576. Communication channel 576 carries signals 578and can be implemented using a variety of communication means includingwire or cable, fiber optics, conventional phone line, cellular phonelink, radio frequency (RF) link, or infrared link, just to name a few.

Computer executable code (i.e., computer programs or software) arestored in the main memory 556 and/or the secondary memory 558. Computerprograms can also be received via communication interface 574 and storedin the main memory 556 and/or the secondary memory 558. Such computerprograms, when executed, enable the computer system 550 to perform thevarious functions of the present invention as previously described.

In this description, the term “computer readable medium” is used torefer to any media used to provide computer executable code (e.g.,software and computer programs) to the computer system 550. Examples ofthese media include main memory 556, secondary memory 558 (includinghard disk drive 560, removable storage medium 564, and external storagemedium 572), and any peripheral device communicatively coupled withcommunication interface 574 (including a network information server orother network device). These computer readable mediums are means forproviding executable code, programming instructions, and software to thecomputer system 550.

In an embodiment that is implemented using software, the software may bestored on a computer readable medium and loaded into computer system 550by way of removable storage drive 562, interface 570, or communicationinterface 574. In such an embodiment, the software is loaded into thecomputer system 550 in the form of electrical communication signals 578.The software, when executed by the processor 552, preferably causes theprocessor 552 to perform the inventive features and functions previouslydescribed herein.

Other new embodiments of this application are described.

FIG. 11 illustrates an additional embodiment of how the sprocket styleuser interface described in previous embodiments can be modified to beused on a mobile phone screen. FIG. 11 shows the mobile phone 1100 andits screen 1105 showing the sprocket interface 1110 thereon. Differentareas on the sprocket can be selected as in the previous embodiments.First, just selecting, e.g., touching a touchscreen sprocket shown as1111 causes the sprocket to increase in size on the user's screen 1105,thereby showing an enlarged sprocket 1115.

The outer ring of the sprocket may include a number of different thingsthat can be done on the portable phone. For example, 1120 may be a pageof widgets, which when selected causes the mobile phone to display thescreen 1125. These widgets can be for example flat widgets. As analternative, clicking the widgets 1120 cause the sprocket to display1130, showing widgets such as 1135 in its middle ring. The widgets, aswell as all of the other content used on the sprocket can be stored inthe phone in memory 1140, which is periodically synchronized to theInternet. In one embodiment, sync may occur each time that a sprocketbutton is selected. In one embodiment, the sync when touch is set not tooccur more than once every 15 minutes. This provides dynamicsynchronization, thereby ensuring that a user obtains the mostup-to-date version of the user interface each time that the userinterface is used.

In the embodiment, the different widgets can have different functions.Widget 1126, for example can be a social network widget. Widget 1127,for example can itself be another channel guide besides the channelguides described herein or can be the same channel guide describedherein. Widget 1128 can be a studio allowing the user to carry outvarious studio functions on their phone. Widget 1129 can be a medialibrary. Widget 1131 can be a favorite selecting widget, that allowsselecting displaying your favorite items. In one embodiment, theselection of favorite items may include selecting favorite advertisers,to create a relationship with those advertisers.

Other items in the menu may include a widget or link that interfaceswith the lifestyle portal, as described in our U.S. Pat. No. 7,590,556,the entire contents of which are herewith incorporated by reference.Another item in the menu or its contents may include immersiveadvertising of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,344, the entirecontents of which are herewith incorporated by reference.

Selecting any widget or item such as 1131 causes the widget itself to belaunched shown as 1132. In this sense, the minimized widgets such as1131 are breadcrumbs for the main widget 1132.

In other embodiments, the widgets/breadcrumbs can be channels, clips,favorites or other kinds of content.

An important feature of the channel guide as used herein is thatwebsites can be controlled from the computer that runs the menu—e.g.,here an Iphone or other smartphone. This allows users to use theInternet in the same way that they use their TV. By operating in thisway, this forms a convergence between the Internet and television. TheInternet can be controlled with the mouse as conventional, or can becontrolled using a mobile phone as the remote control to select items inthe internet channel guide. In the latter embodiment, the mobile phonecan be used to control the Internet content, and can also produce outputsignals which control displaying that Internet content on the televisionor the like.

According to an embodiment, the user can select what that they wouldprefer to see. This can be done, for example, via the “my favorites”widget 1131. FIG. 11 shows a list of logos for different advertisers.The user can select one or more of the different logos to view anadvertisement. After selecting the logo, it creates a relationship,putting the user's video on their home page, providing special offers,and providing the user with sponsor content.

Another sprocket control is the channel guide 1150 which may cause thescreen shown in 1155 which shows a guide of channels that can be seen ona mobile phone screen. As an alternative, this can also show mobilephone channels on the inner ring of the sprocket. According to anotherembodiment, the channels can be both public channels such as CBS andNBC, premium channels such as HBO, and can also be custom channels,created by a customizing crawler 1156. The customizing crawler can allowusers to enter criteria shown as 1157 that they want to find in thechannel. For example, a user might enter “Clint Eastwood” to attempt tofind different things related to Clint Eastwood. This can include URLs,TV channels, and the like, all of which are related to Clint Eastwood.

A view user data control at 1160 can cause the sprocket to attain thestate shown in 1165, where the mid-ring shows the different user pagesassociated with the user. When used as a navigation keys, this canprovide the user access to their own “my videos”, as well as systemselected videos that the system postulates that the user might beinterested in e.g. based on their previous selections.

In one embodiment, the center 1170 of the sprocket is always a “home”piece, and from that piece one can always get to any other item with twodifferent selections.

In an embodiment, the sprocket can be downloadable, and updates to thecontent addressed by the sprocket can also be downloadable. In this way,the user interface itself becomes download-capable.

The sprocket's expanded capabilities include the following.

Web/mobile channel and Mobile App guide and channel distribution bothpushing channels out and pulling them in based on the consumer'scustomizable settings or intelligence learned about the consumer by theconsumer use of the sprocket. Channels include content offered boththrough the World Wide Web and mobile devices, television, cable and payper view and other providers such hulu and iTunes. The Channel deviceincludes a music guide and channel distribution based on consumercriteria.

The Sprocket searches the device where the sprocket is being used andoffers Applications(“app (s)”) based on the type of platform theconsumer is using. One embodiment may aggregate all known apps for anyplatform worldwide and provides on the web in a searchable directory.

Location based programming is supported. Consumers are able to searchfor local content based on their postal code or country and area code.This can be automatically detected by the mobile phone, using the mobilephones location detecting capability.

The selection of various parts may include any form of data entry,including, but not limited to, haptic technology, taking advantage of auser's sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations, and/or motions tothe user. This mechanical stimulation may be used to assist in thecreation of virtual objects (objects existing only in a computersimulation), for control of such virtual objects, and for theenhancement of the remote control of machines and devices. For example,this can use a “Tactile Touchpad” design with button functionality andhaptic feedback incorporated into the tracking surface.

The system can bring together all the aspects of a user's digital lifein an intuitive, easy to use and elegant interface. This can be part ofa next generation multiplatform social media desktop for mobile devicesand tablets.

One specific application of the sprocket user interface that includescombining the channel guide along with the immersive advertisingdescribed above and the lifestyle portal described above,

FIG. 12 shows a detailed layout of the improved sprocket as used forvarious functions. The different elements of the sprocket wheel as showninclude news, video, social, television, games, photos, weather, e-mail,check ins, text messaging, contacts, instant messaging, travel, banking,shopping, and sports. This may be the expanded version of the sprocket,which is seen when the sprocket is enlarged as in 1115. The smallerversion of the sprocket may include only some of these portions, forexample only the ones of the portions that are most commonly used eitherby the user themselves or by anyone; or may include summary categoriesthat are expanded to show the FIG. 12 categories.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the sprocket user interface,where the sprocket user interface itself 1300 is shaped to look like asprocket, with different functions as shown. In the FIG. 13 embodiment,the sprocket forms only half the virtual wheel, which can be rotated asin 1305 to show other portions of the virtual wheel. As shown, thissprocket wheel 1300 includes instant message, news, checking, e-mail,social networks here Facebook and Twitter, photos and videos as well asthe immersive advertising and lifestyle portal described above. This canbe changed by updating the sprocket as noted above. Moreover, as thesprocket rotates, other features may be added to the sprocket. Oneadvantage, for example, of the Sprocket is that more items can be fitinto the sprocket than would be possible using a sprocket whose partswill be fully seen. For example, while the sprocket can be rotated,there can be four pages of sprocket, since the sprocket is not limitedby the size of the complete circle.

The right side of the screen may show additional aspects associated withthe navigation and selection. Here, there can be two tabs, shown as thenews tab 1320 and the entertainment tab 1325. A video tab 1330 can alsobe shown. These tabs provide options in the category. For example,selecting the news portion of the sprocket may provide a news tab.Selecting Facebook or twitter from the sprocket may bring up theentertainment tab 1225, which may show Facebook and twitter typeentertainment information, but may also show other entertainment.Swiping horizontally under each tab provides options in that category.Swiping vertically provides related video or other kinds of tips.

In the FIG. 13 embodiment, therefore, there is a “half sprocket” 1300,with previews, hints and content in the other half screen.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment showing how the sprocket style userinterface, in any of the embodiments above, can be used both to finditems such as media, and view the media. In FIG. 14, the firstconcentric wheel 1410 shown in general as menu 1400 can be an actionwheel. One of the options 1412 is the watch option. The watch option asshown in FIG. 14 can actually have two parts which can be eitherseparated, or have two active portions that can be selected, separatedfor example by a background color. The rightmost portion 1414 can be theoption that brings up subscribed services. By selecting the option 1414,the user follows the flow of 1415 to obtain the first option set 1420.This may show the different channels that the user may have subscribedto, here, “Hulu” 1422, and “Netflix” 1414. The user can then selecteither of these channels for watching, which will bring up a screenshowing the selected channel.

Alternatively, the user can select “watch” at 1415, and so then chooseblended 1423 from the second concentric sprocket row in order to providea third concentric sprocket row shown in 1430.

The alternative option is that 1413 follows the flow 1431 from “watch”directly to two additional sprocket concentric rows 1430. The blendedservices sprocket may allow users to find different things to watch, bysearching at 1432, taking friend's suggestions at 1433, selecting recentitems at 1434, look at the download item queue at 1435, and thendefining items that are queued for watching at a later time andcategories in 1436.

The user can select one of the categories of 1436, and obtain a newsprocket layer shown as 1437. This can be yet another concentric menulayer, or can be items from the layer exploded into separate items asshown. For example, the user can select a section 1438 of that sprocketlayer representing a feature, e.g., comedy. Then the user receives alist of either subcategories at 1439, or the actual results at 1440.

In a similar way, users who select a category of 1433 may have somesubcategory possibilities at 1450, such as friend-suggested, newcategories, top categories, or “stars” which might represent the highestrated friend's suggestions. Selecting any one of those may provide theresults of 1440. The user can then select one of the results of 1441, inorder to receive the actual show at 1442.

An alternative sprocket user interface as shown in FIGS. 15 A-15B.

FIG. 15A shows the alternative sprocket interface, which is formed of acentral portion 1500 as in previous embodiments, with a number ofextending portions such as 1505. Each of the extending portions includesan icon 1510 on the extending portion which indicates the function ofthe extending portion. For example, icons can include icons for Netflix,Hulu, Yahoo, mail, Facebook, twitter, and others. Any commonly visitedsite can itself have an icon. For example, one icon such as shown inFIG. 15 B may be for Gmail at 1525. Selecting one of these icons bringsup a concentric ring of possibilities for gmail. Here, the concentricring may be slightly smaller in diameter than the main concentric ring.The possibilities, shown here as 1530 for the inbox and 1535 for theunread messages. Note that the concentric possibilities are actuallyinside the outer concentric ring defining Gmail. By making the mainselection the largest concentric ring, this can have the largest numberof possibilities therein. The secondary ring is exploded between itemsin the main ring, at a slightly smaller diameter. In other embodiments,this may be at the same diameter, but still set off from the main ringin some way.

The user can then select inbox at 1530, causing another break area 1540within the sprocket. The break area shows the basic interface showingthe message, and showing different options of what to do with themessage such as return, forward, reply. In this way, the sprocketoptions are exploded inside the main layer, which explodes open for theoptions (such as inbox), and then explodes again for the content.

In a similar way, FIG. 16A shows how the user can select the Netflixoption at 1600, providing inner sub-options: 1605 to show new releases,1610 to show comedy, and 1615 to show different recommendations. For anyof the items, the user can be shown a trailer shown as 1620 in breakportion 1630 inside the periphery of the sprocket outer portion.Alternatively, the trailer can be shown in the central ring of thesprocket shown as 1635 whenever an item is selected. The trailer can befor example for the most highly rated video. When the user has selectedone suboption such as 1615, FIG. 16 B shows how this can bring up anumber of different options, each options such as 1640 being onespecific movie with different possibilities of the movie, and anotherpossibility to show the different things that can be seen.

This provides two different sets of items, the overall user interfaceshown in FIG. 15A, where all the different options are possible, down toa drilled down portion where user can see more details about anyselected items.

The dashboard embodiment can alternatively be embodied as shown in FIG.17 where the central hub 1700 can be surrounded by different areas suchas 1705 which each may be represented by showing an icon or otherindication of what will be shown. For example, by selecting the mailicon section 1710, more detail about the mail may be provided in asimilar way to that shown in FIG. 15 B, by opening a break portioninside the cylindrical portion.

FIG. 18A represents another embodiment in which the sprocket type userinterface is prevented side-by-side with its contents. For example, boththe social stream and the media stream may be presented side-by-side.Both of these streams may be aggregated to contain elements from avariety of services. The user can use the “filter wheel” to limit thetypes of results that appears in their stream.

The leftmost section 1800 may be the different social networkinformation that is obtained at any one time. The central section 1810can be a messaging section, with the rightmost section 1820 providingoptions for the messaging section. Any time the user wants to filter orchange what is being shown, they can select the filter wheel shown inFIG. 18B. The filter wheel allows changing what is being shown. Forexample, the filter 1831 may choose what is being done by the wheel,here filtering shown as 1830. The user can select what is beingfiltered, hereby selecting the social icon at 1835, the user receives aconcentric ring at 1840 around the filtered icon indicating specificallywhat is being filtered. By selecting social here, the user receives anumber of different icons including Facebook in 1845, twitter, mail, andothers. The user can alternatively select to filter by media byselecting 1841

By selecting Facebook in 1845, the user receives yet another concentricwheel 1825 that indicates the different things that the user might wantto select. The user can select any of these items, to have them shownthe list. The different items shown may include sharing, likes,statuses, message, and posts. Here, the user has selected only statusesat 1846. This produces for subsequent viewing FIG. 18 C, where thesocial stream 1850 has been filtered to only show statuses. At the sametime an icon 1860 is eliminated indicating that the social filter is inplay, and the icon 1870 shows that the media filter is not in play. Theuser can also obtain a picture of their Facebook inbox at 1875, and canuse the media stream area to respond in this way.

FIG. 19A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the dual streamoperation, showing the social stream 1900 and the media stream 1910side-by-side. Both streams are aggregated to contain elements from avariety of services as in the above. The user can thus see items fromthe social stream such as 1905, and has options for example to commenton those items at 1910. The commenting on the item in 1910 may bring upfor example an e-mail window 1915 that allows the user to comment. In asimilar way, the media stream 1910 may show different media such as1920. The user may have the option 1925 to share this with one or moreitems in the social network. In this embodiment, the filter wheel 19Bcan also be used in a similar way, with the filter wheel 1925 showingthe different items that are shown in the screen. By executing thefilter wheel, the user may receive the items as shown in FIG. 19C, whichnow shows the social stream 1950 being only Facebook, in accordance withwhat has been selected in the menu of 1925. For example, by selectingFacebook, the social stream includes only Facebook items.

FIG. 20 shows an alternative embodiment in which all the services andcontent is formed into one shifting landscape shown as 2000. Thesprocket is shown in a honeycomb arrangement, with the different itemsthat are shown. The user can drag the honeycomb in different directionsby touching the honeycomb, and thereby focus on different interestsareas. FIG. 20A shows a first zoom amount, while FIG. 20B shows a morecompressed view, showing how the honeycomb can grow by including otheritems in the honey file.

The items are still arranged in a circular hierarchy. FIG. 20A, however,shows how for example the Netflix icon 2005 can be surrounded by thedifferent items can coordinate with such as new at 2006, queue items at2007, and instant items at 2008. The user can play any of these items byselecting the play icon 2009. In a similar way, Facebook 2010 may besurrounded by different items, twitter 2015, and mail 2020. By bringingup the play icon such as 2009, this brings up the screen of FIG. 20C, inwhich the play icon has become the entire screen. The user can alsoexecute the icon 2050 to return to the main selection menu. In a similarway, the Facebook icon in FIG. 20 D has an inbox can bring up theFacebook inbox screen shown as 2075, allowing the user to interact withthe Facebook icon. This enables a continual change in the items that areseen.

Various embodiments may also be implemented primarily in hardware using,for example, components such as application specific integrated circuits(“ASICs”), or field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”). Implementationof a hardware state machine capable of performing the functionsdescribed herein will also be apparent those skilled in the relevantart. Various embodiments may also be implemented using a combination ofboth hardware and software.

While the particular systems and methods for navigating a dynamiccollection of information herein shown and described in detail is fullycapable of attaining the above described objects of this invention, itis to be understood that the description and drawings presented hereinrepresent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and aretherefore representative of the subject matter which is broadlycontemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that thescope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments thatmay become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of thepresent invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than theappended claims.

Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in detail above,other embodiments are possible and the inventors intend these to beencompassed within this specification. The specification describesspecific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may beaccomplished in another way. This disclosure is intended to beexemplary, and the claims are intended to cover any modification oralternative which might be predictable to a person having ordinary skillin the art. For example, other combinations of codes can be used.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented aselectronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Toclearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software,various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and stepshave been described above generally in terms of their functionality.Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or softwaredepends upon the particular application and design constraints imposedon the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the describedfunctionality in varying ways for each particular application, but suchimplementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein, may be implementedor performed with a general purpose processor, a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), aField Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can be partof a computer system that also has a user interface port thatcommunicates with a user interface, and which receives commands enteredby a user, has at least one memory (e.g., hard drive or other comparablestorage, and random access memory) that stores electronic informationincluding a program that operates under control of the processor andwith communication via the user interface port, and a video output thatproduces its output via any kind of video output format, e.g., VGA, DVI,HDMI, displayport, or any other form.

When operated on a computer, the computer may include a processor thatoperates to accept user commands, execute instructions and produceoutput based on those instructions. The processor is preferablyconnected to a communication bus. The communication bus may include adata channel for facilitating information transfer between storage andother peripheral components of the computer system. The communicationbus further may provide a set of signals used for communication with theprocessor, including a data bus, address bus, and/or control bus.

The communication bus may comprise any standard or non-standard busarchitecture such as, for example, bus architectures compliant withindustry standard architecture (“ISA”), extended industry standardarchitecture (“EISA”), Micro Channel Architecture (“MCA”), peripheralcomponent interconnect (“PCI”) local bus, or any old or new standardpromulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(“IEEE”) including IEEE 488 general-purpose interface bus (“GPIB”), andthe like.

A computer system used according to the present application preferablyincludes a main memory and may also include a secondary memory. The mainmemory provides storage of instructions and data for programs executingon the processor. The main memory is typically semiconductor-basedmemory such as dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) and/or staticrandom access memory (“SRAM”). The secondary memory may optionallyinclude a hard disk drive and/or a solid state memory and/or removablestorage drive for example an external hard drive, thumb drive, a digitalversatile disc (“DVD”) drive, etc.

At least one possible storage medium is preferably a computer readablemedium having stored thereon computer executable code (i.e., software)and/or data thereon in a non-transitory form. The computer software ordata stored on the removable storage medium is read into the computersystem as electrical communication signals. The above has described thesystem, but it should be understood that the system includes all of theclient computer, the server computer that serves the information, themethod of carrying out the operation, as well as the software andprocess steps themselves, both alone and as embodied on amachine-readable non-transitory medium.

The computer system may also include a communication interface. Thecommunication interface allows' software and data to be transferredbetween computer system and external devices (e.g. printers), networks,or information sources. For example, computer software or executablecode may be transferred to the computer to allow the computer to carryout the functions and operations described herein. The computer systemcan be a network-connected server with a communication interface. Thecommunication interface may be a wired network card, or a Wireless,e.g., Wifi network card.

Software and data transferred via the communication interface aregenerally in the form of electrical communication signals.

Computer executable code (i.e., computer programs or software) arestored in the memory and/or received via communication interface andexecuted as received. The code can be compiled code or interpreted codeor website code, or any other kind of code.

A “computer readable medium” can be any media used to provide computerexecutable code (e.g., software and computer programs and websitepages), e.g., hard drive, USB drive or other. The software, whenexecuted by the processor, preferably causes the processor to performthe inventive features and functions previously described herein.

A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computingdevices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a pluralityof microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with aDSP core, or any other such configuration. These devices may also beused to select values for devices as described herein.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in asoftware module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.A software module may reside in Random Access Memory (RAM), flashmemory, Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Programmable ROM (EPROM),Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, aremovable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known inthe art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor suchthat the processor can read information from, and write information to,the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may beintegral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium mayreside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In thealternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discretecomponents in a user terminal.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computerstorage media and communication media including any medium thatfacilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Astorage media may be any available media that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readablemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed bya computer. The memory storage can also be rotating magnetic hard diskdrives, optical disk drives, or flash memory based storage drives orother such solid state, magnetic, or optical storage devices. Also, anyconnection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example,if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remotesource using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digitalsubscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio,and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media. The computer readable media can be an articlecomprising a machine-readable non-transitory tangible medium embodyinginformation indicative of instructions that when performed by one ormore machines result in computer implemented operations comprising theactions described throughout this specification.

Operations as described herein can be carried out on or over a website.The website can be operated on a server computer, or operated locally,e.g., by being downloaded to the client computer, or operated via aserver farm. The website can be accessed over a mobile phone or a PDA,or on any other client. The website can use HTML code in any form, e.g.,MHTML, or XML, and via any form such as cascading style sheets (“CSS”)or other.

Also, the inventors intend that only those claims which use the words“means for” are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixthparagraph. Moreover, no limitations from the specification are intendedto be read into any claims, unless those limitations are expresslyincluded in the claims. The computers described herein may be any kindof computer, either general purpose, or some specific purpose computersuch as a workstation. The programs may be written in C, or Java, Brewor any other programming language. The programs may be resident on astorage medium, e.g., magnetic or optical, e.g. the computer hard drive,a removable disk or media such as a memory stick or SD media, or otherremovable medium. The programs may also be run over a network, forexample, with a server or other machine sending signals to the localmachine, which allows the local machine to carry out the operationsdescribed herein.

Where a specific numerical value is mentioned herein, it should beconsidered that the value may be increased or decreased by 20%, whilestill staying within the teachings of the present application, unlesssome different range is specifically mentioned. Where a specifiedlogical sense is used, the opposite logical sense is also intended to beencompassed.

The previous description of the disclosed exemplary embodiments isprovided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use thepresent invention. Various modifications to these exemplary embodimentswill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the presentinvention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown hereinbut is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principlesand novel features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer system comprising: a display screen; amemory storing information; a processor, operating according to a storedprogram that is stored in said memory, to display a menu on said displayscreen, said menu comprising a rotatable menu part, with a plurality ofseparate sections within the rotatable menu part, where the menu isrotated to different positions by a user, and each of a plurality of thedifferent positions represents a selection of one of said sectionswithin the rotatable menu part, each of the sections within therotatable menu part representing a different item to be selected foroperation on the computer; wherein said processor also produces anadditional output on the same screen as said output of said menu part,said output being adjacent to said menu part and displaying informationindicative of said selection of said section of said menu part, whereinsaid screen only shows a portion of said menu at any one time, said menuin the shape of a circle, and said screen showing only a portion of saidcircle at any one time, and where the menu controls selecting betweenthe different items that are available for selection on the computerincluding at least all of news, video, social networks, games,communications, and interests, and where selection of any of said itemscauses different portions to be displayed on the display screen as saidadditional output, and where said additional output displayed on thedisplay screen includes items that are stored in the memory of thecomputer, where the memory of the computer is synchronized to theInternet dynamically.
 2. The computer system as in claim 1, wherein thesynchronization occurs each time that an item on the menu is selected.3. The computer system as in claim 1, wherein the menu is in the shapeof the circle, and each of said sections comprises a section of thecircle, and where only a portion of the circle is shown at any one time,and where all of the items shown by rotating the menu is collectivelymore than could fit into a normal circle.
 4. The computer system as inclaim 3, wherein half the circle is shown at any one time.
 5. Thecomputer system as in claim 4, wherein the menu includes four pages ofhalf circles that comprise all of the selections of the menu.
 6. Thecomputer system as in claim 1, wherein said additional output includes avideo that was selected from said menu.
 7. The computer system as inclaim 1, wherein said additional output includes all of a video, a newssection and an entertainment section all associated with the selectionfrom the menu.
 8. The computer system as in claim 1, wherein saiddisplay screen is a touchscreen, and said items are selected based on atouch on the touch screen.
 9. The computer system as in claim 1, whereinsaid menu is in the form of concentric rings, and selecting an item onone of said rings changes information on another of said rings.
 10. Thecomputer system as in claim 1, wherein said items on the menu include achannel guide, wherein said channel guide when shown on a mobile phonescreen includes only channels that can be seen on a mobile phone screen,and where said channel guide shown on another screen includes otherchannels that can be seen on said another screen but cannot be seen onsaid mobile phone screen, and where said processor determines whichchannels to show based on said synchronizing to the Internetdynamically.
 11. A computer system comprising: a display screen; amemory storing information; a processor, operating according to a storedprogram that is stored in said memory, to display a menu on said displayscreen, said menu comprising a rotatable menu part, with a plurality ofseparate sections within the rotatable menu part, where the menu isrotated to different positions by a user, and each of a plurality of thedifferent positions represents a selection of one of said sectionswithin the rotatable menu part, each of the sections within therotatable menu part representing a different item to be selected foroperation on the computer; wherein the menu is in the shape of a circle,and each of said sections comprises a section of the circle, and whereonly a portion of the circle is shown at any one time, and where all ofthe items shown by rotating the menu is collectively more than could fitinto a circle.
 12. The computer system as in claim 11, wherein saidprocessor also produces an additional output on the same screen as saidoutput of said menu part, said output being adjacent to said menu partand displaying information indicative of said selection of said sectionof said menu part, where selection of any of said items causes differentportions to be displayed on the display screen as said additionaloutput, and where said additional output displayed on the display screenincludes items that are stored in the memory of the computer, where thememory of the computer is synchronized to the Internet dynamically. 13.The computer system as in claim 12, wherein the synchronization occurseach time that an item on the menu is selected.
 14. The computer systemas in claim 11, wherein half the circle is shown at any one time as saidportion of the circle.
 15. The computer system as in claim 14, whereinthe menu includes four pages of half circles that comprise all of theselections of the menu.
 16. The computer system as in claim 11, whereinsaid additional output includes a video that was selected from saidmenu.
 17. The computer system as in claim 12, wherein said items on themenu include a channel guide, wherein said channel guide when shown on amobile phone screen includes only channels that can be seen on a mobilephone screen, and where said channel guide shown on another screenincludes other channels that can be seen on said another screen butcannot be seen on said mobile phone screen, and where said processordetermines which channels to show based on said synchronizing to theInternet dynamically.
 18. A method comprising: displaying a menu on adisplay screen of a portable computer; said menu comprising a rotatablemenu part, with a plurality of separate sections within the rotatablemenu part; rotating the menu is rotated to different positions by a useraction on a user interface, where each of a plurality of the differentpositions represents a selection of one of said sections within therotatable menu part, allowing selection of any of the sections withinthe rotatable menu part, each of the sections representing a differentitem to be selected for operation on the portable computer; alsoproducing an additional output on the same screen as said output of saidmenu part, said output being adjacent to said menu part and displayinginformation indicative of said selection of said section of said menupart, wherein said screen only shows a portion of said menu at any onetime, said menu in the shape of a circle, and said screen showing only aportion of said circle at any one time, and where the menu controlsselecting between the different items that are available for selectionon the method including at least all of news, video, social networks,games, communications, and interests, and where selection of any of saiditems causes different portions to be displayed on the display screen assaid additional output, storing said additional output displayed on thedisplay; and synchronizing information about the additional output tothe Internet dynamically.
 19. The method as in claim 18, wherein thesynchronization occurs each time that an item on the menu is selected.20. The method as in claim 18, wherein the menu is in the shape of thecircle, and each of said sections comprises a section of the circle, andwhere only a portion of the circle is shown at any one time, and whereall of the items shown by rotating the menu is collectively more thancould fit into a normal circle.
 21. The method as in claim 20, whereinhalf the circle is shown at any one time.
 22. The method as in claim 21,wherein the menu includes four pages of half circles that comprise allof the selections of the menu.